THERE has been a lot of excitement in the TRI Equestrian Inter Schools’ League as the final is fast approaching and the leader board is changing every week.

At Cavan Equestrian on February 11th, there was no jump-off as The Kings Hospital team of Anna and Sarah Fitzpatrick, Phoebe Nicholson and George Connolly Carew were the clear winners with the Newbridge College team of Caragh Sweeney, Leah Heffernan, Leah Ross and Amy Carroll taking second. Caragh Sweeney went on to win the open individual and 1.10m cms classes.

Competition then moved to Boswell Equestrian on February 18th where the St Gerard’s team of Shona Callan, Kirsti Connole, Jennifer Robinson and Mark Finnerty took first, with the Newbridge College team of Caragh Sweeney, Leah Heffernan, Leah Ross and Nika Carey again taking second. George Connolly Carew from The Kings Hospital took first in the open individual with Thea Van Cannenberge from Maynooth Secondary taking the 1.10mcms title.

Gorey Community School hosted the next leg of the league on February 26th, which was held in Barnadown, where the tables were turned and Newbridge College took the leaders’ prize with Caragh Sweeney, Leah Heffernan, Leah Ross and Sophie Carroll and St Gerard’s Shona Callan, Kirsti Connole, Jennifer Robinson and Mark Finnerty taking second. Ciaran Byrne of St Kieran’s College won the open individual with Mark Finnerty of St Gerard’s taking first in the 1.10m cms.

Sunday, March 5th, saw the league move to the West of Ireland to Duffy’s EC in Claregalway with Salerno Galway welcoming 16 teams to their leg. A fun, friendly and very welcoming show was hosted by the Salerno and supported by students, teachers, families and local businesses. Twelve teams competed in the novice team event with local team Calasanctious’s Cathal Duffy, Keeva Crudden, Emma O’Callaghan and Jane Field beating the home team in a tight jump-off to take the trophy for the third consecutive year. Salerno’s Orlaith de Baíread won the novice individual with Phelim McCann from Presentation Athenry taking second and Salerno rider Grainne Regan taking third.

Hailstones pelted down for the open riders section. The testing track built by Mark Duffy proved difficult for all the riders with locals Calasanctious again taking home first prize with their team of Cathal Duffy, Brendan Commins, Cara Crudden and Jane Field. Newbridge College took joint second with Caragh Sweeney, Leah Heffernan, Leah Ross and Niamh Flinter and Presentation Athenry’s Jack Neilan, Phelim McCann, Conan McCann and John Naughton. The TRI Equestrian open individual and 1.10m cms, kindly sponsored by Olympic Saddlery, were both won in style by Suzannah Scanlon. The next leg of the TRI Equestrian League will be held in Mullingar Equestrian tomorrow (Sunday).